: : : Gayle Wheatley | Artist Statement : : :

My paintings portray a unique world of surreal landscapes where space mermaids float past nebulas and co-exist among tangerine fish that swim about out of water. My images often feature blushing girls who represent classic feminine archetypes. These timeless archetypes have appeared throughout history in art, literature, and mythology. In my paintings they emerge reinvented--within the modern context of pop culture. These sweet-faced girls cast shadowy undertones full of curious eccentricities and hidden mythologies--challenging the classical representation of the feminine throughout art.

Since my art is heavily influenced by the destinations I travel to, my paintings are filled with cultural references that are combined to form a rich visual language. Additionally, inspired by the years I spent in Japan, my compositions and line work reflect the influence of ukiyo-e, while conceptually exploring the relationship between unique distinctions and the ordinary.

My painting process revolves around the ancient Chinese concept of energy, or chi. Similar to meditation, painting requires me to focus on the flow of my energy, locking out everything else in order to direct that essence through emotional filters that result in spontaneously lush color applications peppered with beautiful accidents.